Guitar Lessons in Plainville, MA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students, we will first spend time getting acquainted with the instrument. It takes time for a beginner's fingers to get used to playing a fretted instrument, so getting comfortable is key. I will also start with the basics of reading music. As students progress into the intermediate range, we will start to train our ears with listening exercises, and we will also dive in to more difficult material. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

A weekly homework assignment of memorizing the chord or chords learned in the days lesson will be given. After three chords or so are feeling good, we can move on to learning a basic song! Many songs are just three chords. (my first was knockin' on heavens door) Pace of learning is respected and different for each student. I am fully open to pace and speed of learning. It takes time! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

I am a big proponent of a hands-on learning approach that relies heavily on musical interaction and performance preparation. The best way to improve as a musician is to play, so I try to pinpoint what the student is interested in playing and focus our attention toward that, all while developing foundational music skills such as rhythm, sight reading, theory, ear training, and harmony. I like to start my students on a series of warm-ups and technical exercises that I've found to be essential in developing good technique for students of all abilities and experience levels, and eventually work up to playing repertoire that will strengthen their fundamentals and fulfil their musical interests. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Flute Synthesizer Ukulele Recorder Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Music Acoustic Guitar

I firmly believe in starting with the basics of singing for younger students, however they should have fun as well as learn. Giving them a choice in at least one song we do every so often, to me, is the way to keep them interested in the art. As the students get older, I attempt to have them sing in multiple genres and languages, as to broaden their experience and see what they like. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Fiddle Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always start with what the student is interested in. I find that learning music comes much more naturally when the student is inspired and entertained by what they are trying to learn. I come from a long tradition of learning music by ear. I believe this is the best way to develop true musicality. While I very much see the value in sheet music, I believe that reading music without being about to play it by ear is like being about to write and write but not speak and understand English. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

In the earliest stages of learning, such considerations as posture and proper technique are crucial if a student is to be comfortable with playing, achieve early success, and lay the foundation for further progress. The way I have tried to sell this to students is: the accepted technique became so because it is the easiest and most comfortable way to play. In terms of early success, at the earliest point possible I teach/encourage a student to play a song however simple in its entirety, slowly but steadily and clearly. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice

Listening! I want to hear from the student why they're excited to play the instrument, in my case learn how to sing or play guitar. Every person and thus every student will be different. Some people find certain things easier or harder than others, so even if say I were teaching say two students of the same ability or progress level I wouldn't just give them excercises out of a book I'd customize the lessons so they could develop and build upon their currentskill level. Read More